This doesn’t make sense, as alfalfa generally has nice levels of lysine (4gm/lb is one number I have seen), which is an essential AA.
And, that doesn’t explain why horses eating a cup, or ANY of it, can get “hot” or spooky.
[QUOTE=Rebmik;3838547]
UGH so frustrating and SO much conflicting information
I live at a farm that grows hay and am able to adjust anything in the process to hopefully produce the best hay for my EPSM horse.
This past year I tested all cuttings of alfalfa and orchard and while alfalfa was higher in protein, it was MUCH lower in sugar and starch (an acceptable level for EPSM).
I am attempting to learn so we can grow safe, quality hay.
So much that I read regarding EPSM suggests only feeding alfalfa, then why such problem?
[/QUOTE]
Try starting with a 50:50 mix, see how the horse does, then if all is well you can gradually increase the alfalfa portion, if the horse gets hot and worked up you can always reduce it.
Or you could just feed a really nice grass hay (which is usually best for horses anyway) and a suitable vitamin/mineral mix, and he should be fine.
Unless he is in hard work most horses do fine on hay plus a vit/min pellet.
PM me if you need more detailed explanations.
Yours
MW
[QUOTE=JB;3838598]
This doesn’t make sense, as alfalfa generally has nice levels of lysine (4gm/lb is one number I have seen), which is an essential AA.
And, that doesn’t explain why horses eating a cup, or ANY of it, can get “hot” or spooky.[/QUOTE]
Lysine is just one of the 10 essential amino-acids, if the other 9 are too low the result is the same. Lysine is most usually the most limiting, but not always.
ANd some horses are more sensitive to urea/ammonia than others are.
So some are going to be more sensitive to even low levels of legume protein. Or it could be something else entirely. AS I said it’s just a theory.
MW
Lysine is the first limiting, with methionine being, I think, 2nd. I do realize there are others that fall farther down the list. But I have also been under the impression that as long as the horse is getting sufficient forage, then as long as you make sure the lysine and methionine are taken care of, the rest of the essential AAs are rarely a problem.
So, still
[QUOTE=Rebmik;3838068]
Yes that article does help.
My horses are out 24/7 in about 15+ acre pasture.
I’m just concerned now that new horse is getting “up” from alfalfa.
But my EPSM horse that is turned out with new horse must have the alfalfa as opposed to the orchard. Not sure if I can regulate new horses intake since new horse was purchased to keep EPSM horse company!!![/QUOTE]
Has the horse been on afalfa before? If not, you have to introduce it gradually. With both horses being out together, maybe you could create a small feeding lot (temporary fencing, stock panels) and put the new horse in there 2 or 3 times a day so you can let him get his fill on his mix until he is adjusted (takes 10 to 14 days).
While alfalfa is high in protein, it still has a very acceptable level of NSC (abt. 15%, most grass hays are abt. 12%).
[QUOTE=Dalemma;3838385]
Your regular every day horse does not need alfalfa…way too much protein which in turn means too many calories which leads to obesity.
Dalemma[/QUOTE]
Why can’t I ever have a horse that gets fat? My gelding was on an alfalfa roundbale all day plus grain (with vitamins) and just maintains weight. He is a thoroughbred worked 3+ times a week and outside 10 hours a day. He is on daily wormer, his teeth are done and ulcers are not an issue.
They drink a lot and pee a lot on alfalfa. It wasn’t the ideal, but it kept the weight on without getting ridiculous on the grain.
It did not make him “hot” or the two other thoroughbreds in that pasture hot, and now we are struggling with weight in the grass hay pasture. No turnout would make him insane though.
Wanted to add that he has three high white socks and no scratches issues (and half the time that pasture was a deep shoe-sucking mud pit…again, not the ideal, but I board).
Curios?
Is it possible to have a timothy alfalfa hay that is too high in calories for an easy keeper
[QUOTE=aknil;7999457]
Is it possible to have a timothy alfalfa hay that is too high in calories for an easy keeper[/QUOTE]
I know this is an old thread so maybe you will get more answers if you start a new thread - - If you are feeding any amount of alfalfa can be too many calories for a horse that is an easy keeper.
Feed straight timothy and you should be fine if you don’t need the extra weight.
In the area I live, many people feed alfalfa for energy, weight or retirees that just need feed because it is one of the cheaper price-wise hays.
My horses don’t get any or need any alfalfa.
I hope this helps.
[QUOTE=aknil;7999457]
Is it possible to have a timothy alfalfa hay that is too high in calories for an easy keeper[/QUOTE]
Yes, esp if you buy second cutting hay, it can be too high in NSC for an easy keeper.Best to get the hay analysed if you are in doubt, and maybe consult a nutritionist.
I think, but don’t know, that lower quality hay is used in the production of cubes and pellets. (A vet I know calls pellets “floor sweepings”.) I was told by a cube mfgr that they used hay bales that weren’t used up at the end of the year. Maybe that’s not common, though.
